At UBA, our staff is one of our best assets. Whether it’s answering the phone when a church needs a mediator, providing information to understand your community better, or getting you tools to improve your leadership and organization, our staff works hard to support you in all avenues of ministry.
The team that serves you is one of the best, most professionally-trained, and cross-disciplined of any staff you will find at any state convention or association nationwide. Our newest staff member, Darrell Jackson, is no exception!
Get to know Darrell and learn something new in this interview.
I serve to help bring hope, help, and healing to pastors and congregations so they, in turn, can bring hope, help, and healing to the world.
Darrell Jackson
1. Introduce yourself
My full name is Darrell Jackson—I don’t have a middle name. I am 51 years old and was born and raised in Houston, TX. I was saved at the age of 8 years old. Now, I enjoy growing in my faith (Ezra 7:10) and helping other people grow (2 Tim. 2:2). Marsha Jackson and I have been married for 30 years. We have 3 adult kids and 5 grandkids who all live in Houston.
I have served as a church strategists and coach for over 20 years. I have also served as a music producer and musician for over 30 years. I started playing the piano at the age of 8 years old and eventually ended up learning how to play the drums and the organ
I started at UBA on October 1, 2023, as a Church Consultant, and I’m also the Chief of Staff/Pastor of Ministry Operations at Crossover Bible Fellowship, where Blake E. Wilson is the Lead Pastor. I have served in this capacity since May 2021.
2. How did you get connected with the association?
I was introduced to UBA over 20 years ago because a church I attended was a member.
I was reintroduced to UBA over 15 years ago while serving as a church planter. I met Rickey Bradshaw in 2006 and would come by the office to meet with him. I also knew Diane Kidd and her husband, Bob, because of my work as a hospital chaplain.
3. How does your role advance the gospel in our context?
As a Church Consultant, I come alongside pastors and churches to coach or, at times, guide them toward healthy personal and corporate church growth and communal impact both locally and globally.
I serve to help bring hope, help, and healing to pastors and congregations so they, in turn, can bring hope, help, and healing to the world.
4. What's one thing most people don’t know about you?
Because I am usually in front of people leading discussions, preaching, or teaching, many people believe I am a 100% extravert. However, I am an introvert who, over the years, has become more of an ambivert because of the demands of my work. But I truly enjoy being alone.
5. What’s the most exciting thing you’re working on right now?
In addition to the various gospel records that I am producing, I am completing the writing of a Christian Singles Manual called “Before We Go Too Far,” which should be published by the summer of 2024.
6. What do you love to do when you’re not at work?
When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family, riding my motorcycle, and producing gospel music.
7. What’s so special about a local association of churches?
I believe God never intended for us to serve in silos. Thus, what makes a local association of churches special is that we combine our unique, God-given gifts and abilities to obey God’s great commandments and commission. In so doing, we get to bless the world. We are able to do more together than we can on our own because we are indeed better together (Ecc. 4:9-12; 1 Corinthians 12).
“Associations allow us to combine our unique, God-given gifts and abilities to obey God’s great commandments and commission. In so doing, we get to bless the world. ”
8. Tell me a story that makes you smile.
About 10 years ago, I was asked by a young pastor, Pastor Charles Tompkins, in San Felipe, TX, to teach a Bible Study Methods class at his church. However, what we didn’t know back then, was that God had something even greater for Pastor Tompkins church, and for our lives than we ever imagined.
After I finished teaching that initial class, Pastor Tompkins began telling me about his pastoral aspirations. He began telling me what he thought he could do if he pastored another church. After Pastor Tompkins finished speaking, I asked him, “Tell me, are you having any problems in this church?”
He answered, “No sir, everything has been great!”
I asked several more questions about the church to get an idea of the church’s culture and to hear about any major obstacles that he had.
“I don’t have any problems with the people here…” Pastor Tompkins continued, “I have other pastor friends who are having major problems with the members they pastor, but not me.”
I was puzzled, so I asked, “So if everything's good here, why do you want to leave this church?”
Then I got the truth. “I just want to pastor in a big city,” he replied, “If I could get a church in Houston, then I believe that I will be able to fully fulfill the calling God has for my life and ministry!”
Here was the real story. Nothing was wrong with the church he was pastoring; Pastor Tompkins simply believed that pastoring in the “big city” of Houston was the thing to do.
Well, as he continued to express his aspirations, I chuckled because he did not know at the time that I was also a Church Strategist.
After some time, I thanked Pastor Tompkins for trusting me with this information, and I asked him, “What if you could bring the city to the country…would that bring you joy?”
“What do you mean?" he asked.
“What if all of the programs that you have in your heart and mind could be accomplished right here in this church?” I pressed. “What if the buildings that you want to build could be built and used on this property to serve the residents in this community?” I asked several more questions, which literally caused the pastor to sit down and think about his answers.
After a while, Pastor Thompson replied, “You are right…there is nothing wrong with where I am, but where do I start…I don’t know what to do…can you help me?”
Of course, there is much more to the story, but in short, that was the question that started a 10-year relationship.
Since then, that church has grown both numerically and spiritually. They have a thriving food pantry that supports the community twice a month; they started a Daycare with three children that now serves over 60 children and employs over 12 church members; they have paid off and remodeled builds and acquired more land; they have a thriving after school program that serves low-income kids and their families, which the government funds.
I meet weekly with this pastor to disciple him, and I disciple his leaders monthly, but above all, God has allowed the relationship between his church and our families to grow. Stories like these reveal the power of working collaboratively. To God be the glory for the things He has and continues to do!
Darrell Jackson is a UBA church consultant. He is currently the Pastor of Operations at Crossover Bible Fellowship and previously served as the Regional director for STCH. He has also been a Church Consultant for the San Felipe Baptist Association since 2011.